An interdisciplinary field in which the principles, laws, and techniques of engineering are applied to facilitate progress in medicine, biology, and other life sciences. Biomedical engineering encompasses both engineering science and applied engineering in order to define and solve problems in medical research and clinical medicine for the improvement of health care. Biomedical engineers must have training in anatomy, physiology, and medicine, as well as in engineering. In particular, biomedical engineering entails the design and development of tools and instrumentation to enhance the ability of physicians and life scientists to obtain information on physiological and biological processes, and to aid in the treatment of diseases or other abnormalities. It is also an important component in the design and development of artificial organs, limbs, and other prosthetic devices that replace missing body parts or that enhance deteriorated physiological functions (see illustration). Biomedical engineering contributes to medical and biological research aimed at learning more about the functional processes in various physiological systems. An important part of biomedical engineering research is the use of computer techniques to develop mathematical models of physiological functions and processes to expand available theoretical knowledge. See also: Biomechanics; Biomedical chemical engineering; Control systems; Engineering; Engineering design; Medical control systems; Medicine; Simulation

To learn more about subscribing to AccessScience, or to request a no-risk trial of this award-winning scientific reference for your institution, fill in your information and a member of our Sales Team will contact you as soon as possible.

Let your librarian know about the award-winning gateway to the most trustworthy and accurate scientific information.

About AccessScience

AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.

Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Its dedicated editorial team is led by Sagan Award winner John Rennie. Contributors include more than 9000 highly qualified scientists and 39 Nobel Prize winners.

Features

MORE THAN 8500 articles and Research Reviews covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology

115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms

3000 biographies of notable scientific figures

MORE THAN 17,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics

ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research

LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information